Are Apprenticeships a Viable Option for Learners?
When I think of the word “Apprentice” two things come to mind:
- A blacksmith
2. Donald Trump saying “You’re Fired” to contestants on the show The Apprentice (just google “You’re Fired Donald Trump” and you will find more than enough memes to know what I am talking about)
In case you are wondering, we want to focus more on the first one and less on the second one.
Apprenticeships are as viable today as they were centuries ago. In fact, many professions today have an apprenticeship option — electrician, welding, agriculture, construction, etc. So what exactly does an apprenticeship consist of?
Well, here is an official definition:
An apprentice (apprenticeship) is a person who is bound by legal agreement to work for another for an allotted period of time in return for instruction in a specific field or occupation.
Sounds kind of a like a mentorship doesn’t it? (except for the bound by legal agreement part)
The history of apprenticeship is quite interesting. It consisted of years of work alongside a master to become proficient in a specific field. Although our current standard for higher education consists of years of work and learning from “experts” at a university or college, it fails to include a number of the traditional aspects of apprenticeship.
- Universities ask you to pay — apprenticeships offer some sort of income
- Universities provide a lot of theoretical learning — apprenticeships are very hands-on
- Universities are often one step removed from the employment process — apprenticeships are directly tied to future employment
Interestingly, the apprenticeship model above can be adapted to many 21st century professions. I have personally heard many many professionals talk about the benefits of having a mentor (or in other words, someone who offers apprenticeship) at work and in other aspects of life. Even though it is most often an informal relationship, it is a great example of why the apprenticeship model is a valuable one.
As a college student, I was fortunate to connect with numerous mentors through my own efforts, and through the university that I attended. Not only were those relationships meaningful and enlightening back then, but they are also extremely valuable to my personal and professional growth today.
With a couple of years of college left, I started working full time and became, in an informal way, an apprentice to individuals who:
- Had expertise and experience in a specific field
- Were seasoned in their careers
- Let me shadow them and learn from them day in and day out
Without a doubt, that time as an “apprentice” has impacted my early career in more ways than I can imagine. I am even seen by some as an expert in my industry (granted, it is a newer industry) and a good portion of that is due to how I was taught. Spending time with knowledgeable individuals, who are willing to share all of that knowledge, prepares the learner or “apprentice” to solve complex problems, and contribute at a high level.
Now, not every profession or job provides this opportunity and my example above is only to shed light on the benefits of hands-on learning from others. I believe that much of my university education could have been drastically improved through apprentice-like activities and less lecturing.
Richard Wang, the CEO of Coding Dojo (www.codingdojo.com), wrote an article about a year ago that, in my opinion, has become even more fitting given the current pandemic. He highlights the current state of apprenticeships in the US, the benefits of learning as an apprentice, and calls on organizations (especially technology companies) to consider teaching and attracting talent through these programs. Check out his article below.
Now, whether you are entering the workforce for the first time, making a transition to a new career, or out of work and looking for a job, becoming an apprentice is as great of a learning opportunity as any. It will lead to gaining and mastering new skills, potentially landing that first job, or helping you get back on your feet if you were impacted by COVID-19 or some other unfortunate circumstance.
If you are curious about what types of apprenticeships exist or you are interested in exploring other educational options, check out edifi — www.learnwithedifi.com.
